Week 2 Scouting Report: Rams at Atlanta

09/15/2004

GAME 2: RAMS VS. FALCONS
Noon Sunday at the Georgia Dome

The Series

Sunday marks the 72nd meeting between the former NFC West rivals, with the Rams leading the series 46-23-2. The Rams have played only San Francisco (109 games), Green Bay (87), Chicago (86) and Detroit (79) more often. Since the move to St. Louis, the Rams are 10-5 against Atlanta, winning the past seven meetings. (And by a combined score of 264-88.)

The stats

Rams WR Isaac Bruce is tied for first in the NFL in catches (nine) and tied for third in reception yards (112).

Atlanta's offense went three for three in red-zone touchdowns last week in San Francisco.

News of the day

It's not official until coach Mike Martz ends his injury information "blackout" today, but LB Pisa Tinoisamoa has told friends and fans that his dislocated shoulder is fine. He's expected to play against Atlanta.

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The Rams released QB Russ Michna from the practice squad Tuesday, paving the way to add a linebacker today. A practice squad spot had to be freed up, because TE Mike Brake was signed there Saturday after being cut from the active roster Friday.

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DB Tom Knight was waived off the team's injured reserve list Tuesday after being deemed physically able to play.

Connections

Atlanta's roster includes LB Jamie Duncan, who was Rams special teams captain last season, and former Mizzou TE Dwayne Blakely.

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Rams backup QB Chris Chandler played for the Falcons from 1997 to 2001, earning two Pro Bowl berths and guiding Atlanta to the Super Bowl in 1998.

Quotebook: Nov. 2, 2003

"It's probably arrogant, but we're faster than the Rams. Our defense is faster than the Rams' offense and it didn't used to be that way. And now it is. That might sound ****y, but it's a fact."

- Jim Mora, then *****' defensive coordinator, after a 30-10 San Francisco victory. Mora is now Falcons head coach.